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Scott Engel gives his fantasy take on the 2008 Carolina Panthers.
OVERVIEW
After missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year in 2007, the Panthers underwent a major overhaul during the past off-season. Still, fantasy leaguers will likely view many of their top players with skepticism in 2008. The passing game is filled with potentially productive performers, but there are health issues that permeate the group in 2008. The running game will be led by a rookie and a veteran who has not lived up to expectations. Fantasy leaguers can no longer count on the defensive unit either, once a strength of this team. There is great pressure on the Carolina coaching staff and front office entering '08, and it is also reflected in a shaky fantasy outlook for some of the ballclub's pivotal offensive players. |
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART Players listed in order of fantasy relevance. Recommended round to draft in standard 10 to 12-team leagues with 16 rounds in parentheses. Quarterback: Jake Delhomme (11), Matt Moore Running Back: Jonathan Stewart (4), DeAngelo Williams (12), LaBrandon Toefield, Nick Goings Wide Receiver: Steve Smith (3), D.J. Hackett (8), Muhsin Muhammad (15), Dwayne Jarrett, Ryne Robinson Tight End: Jeff King, Dante Rosario, Gary Barnidge Kicker: John Kasay, Rhys Lloyd NOTABLE PLAYER MOVES Additions: WR D.J. Hackett, WR Muhsin Muhammad, RB LaBrandon Toefield
Subtractions: QB David Carr, RB DeShaun Foster, WR Keary Colbert, WR Drew Carter 2008 ROOKIES TO WATCH Round One: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Round Five Gary Barnidge, TE, Louisville TOP POSITION BATTLE Running Back: Jonathan Stewart vs. DeAngelo Williams 2008 SCHEDULE Top matchups in bold Sept. 7: at San Diego
Sept. 14: Chicago
Sept. 21: at Minnesota
Sept. 28: Atlanta
Oct. 5: at Kansas City
Oct. 12: at Tampa Bay
Oct. 19: New Orleans
Oct 26: Arizona
Nov. 2: BYE
Nov. 9: at Oakland
Nov. 16: Detroit
Nov. 23: at Atlanta
Nov. 30: at Green Bay
FANTASY PLAYOFF MATCHUPS
Dec. 8: Tampa Bay
Dec. 14: Denver
Dec. 21: at New York Giants
Dec 28: at New Orleans  | LANDRY'S LOOK: THE CAROLINA PANTHERS | Everyone seems to be writing off DeAngelo Williams, but I wouldn't jump to conclusions. Sure, Jonathan Stewart is the flashy rookie with ideal NFL size, but this is the NFL. He has to win and KEEP the gig. As the incumbent, Williams will be more motivated than ever. Heck, DeAngelo might surprise us yet, and he makes for a stellar under-the-radar late round addition to your fantasy squad. |
2008 FANTASY POSITIONAL OUTLOOKS  | | Panther fans pray that Vinny does not take snaps in 2008. Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force |
Quarterback: Much of Carolina's potential offensive success apparently hinges on the elbow of Jake Delhomme after he underwent Tommy John surgery. All reports were positive during recent workouts as he ran with the first-team offense. If he can stay healthy, Delhomme will make the passing game click and could be a very good value selection in fantasy leagues. When he is on his game, Delhomme does a great job of picking out weak spots in defenses and managing a game. He still has the confidence and skills to be a quality fantasy starter if he can hold up. If not, Matt Moore has already shown he has some potential to keep defenses honest. He throws a good deep ball and can avoid the rush. He wouldn't be useful as a fantasy player if he starts, but he is a better option than say, Vinny Testaverde, and can keep the receivers somewhat happy with his longer tosses. Running Back: There will be no more wondering about DeShaun Foster, who is now ticketed for backup duty with the 49ers. The window of opportunity also appears to be closing for DeAngelo Williams, once regarded as a player with considerable fantasy upside. Now the ground game appears to be centered around rookie Jonathan Stewart. He is everything Carolina has wanted to further balance the offense. Stewart just has to show he is NFL-ready and he could be a very good No. 2 fantasy RB this year. He's a strong inside runner who should be a force near the goal line and can also bust loose for a few long runs. His emergence should push Williams into a role as a complementary back who will have little fantasy appeal. Yet, if Stewart doesn't blossom as quickly as hoped, Williams may be a quality flex player, but he wouldn't be a major fantasy producer in an expanded role. LaBrandon Toefield was added for depth and could get some part-time work if injuries become an issue, and Nick Goings is always a good desperation option if he is pressed into more service at any point. Wide Receiver: Those who may be happiest with a healthy Delhomme could be owners of Steve Smith. The positive reports so far on the QB mean a good early outlook for the star receiver. Smith caught four of his seven touchdown passes from Delhomme in 2007, making the major link between them more obvious. Smith should still be a decent bet for a rebound season near his best levels of the past, and you may be able to get good value on him as late as the fourth round of some yearly drafts. Of course, he'll produce his best numbers with Delhomme, but Moore can also get him the ball downfield. Smith will also benefit greatly if newcomer D.J. Hackett can avoid injuries. Hackett is a boom-or-bust fantasy prospect this year. If he and Delhomme are both healthy, the two of them will connect often, and Hackett will be a very good No. 2 fantasy WR. He's big, deceptively quick and has superb leaping ability, but Hackett has often battled injuries during his short career. Veteran Mushin Muhammad returns in the twilight of his career and won't produce consistently good fantasy totals if he is needed to start. In this high risk/high reward Carolina passing game, though, he fits nicely as a third receiver to help boost the production of Delhomme, Smith and Hackett. He should not be drafted in fantasy leagues, though. Dwayne Jarrett has no real room to make an impact this year, as he wouldn't be ready to play an increased role effectively if injuries strike. Ryne Robinson is a speed merchant with no fantasy value. Tight End: The Panthers can rely on Jeff King to be a solid blocker and occasional possession receiver, but he doesn't contribute enough statistically to be a factor in fantasy leagues. Dante Rosario provides quality depth for Carolina, but should not be on anyone's fantasy radar right now. Dynasty league owners should consider rookie Gary Barnidge, who has good hands and could become a respectable fantasy player down the road. Kicker: John Kasay is still very accurate, but he now lacks the strength on longer kicks and you can do much better in most leagues, especially when many fantasy leagues often reward for distance. Kasay missed five times outside of 40 yards in 2007. Rhys Lloyd won’t threaten his playing time, but the fact that he is now needed on kickoffs is further evidence of Kasay's declining appeal. Defense/Special Teams: Julius Peppers was a major disappointment last year, with a career-low 2.5 sacks. While the reasons for his drop-off were unclear, the Panthers moved to revamp their defensive line and that included losing longtime fixtures Mike Rucker and Kris Jenkins. The team brought in defensive end Tyler Brayton, who will likely replace Rucker, and there is much talk of moving Peppers to the right side. Yet, the new look isn't sure to re-energize Peppers in a major way, and the secondary, while aggressive, is prone to being burned for big plays. Rookie Charles Godfrey may start at free safety, further exposing the team to possible downfield strikes this season. Middle linebacker John Beason is a tackling machine and a solid individual defender league pick, who will be needed to continue to make a lot of plays. The unit isn’t worth starting in fantasy leagues, even though Robinson also has some upside as a returner. . Offensive Line: Another unit that underwent significant changes. Gone are veterans Mike Wahle and Justin Hartwig, as the Panthers attempt to solidify pass protection further while moving more towards a power style in the running game. Rookie Jeff Otah can make an instant impact in the running game as he slides in at right tackle, while Jordan Gross can provide solid protection for Delhomme as he moves to the left side. Travelle Wharton should get the job done at left guard. Center Ryan Kalil is somewhat raw, but promising, and there may be some open competition at right guard, but this unit will get the job done adequately, especially for Stewart. Scott will be Rockin' and Rollin' all night right up until the last horn of the Super Bowl. Got a question or comment? Email Scott Engel at
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